How to Care for Skin in Humid Weather

Posted on February 23, 2017

Got acne? Oily skin? You may have the weather to thank for it.

Our skin reacts to our environment, and all weather conditions bring their own challenges, whether that’s dry skin in freezing climates, or oily skin in damp, humid climates. Humidity can be REALLY frustrating, since it can make acne worse. Here’s a shock: 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 25 struggle with acne, and that’s not even taking into account the influence of the weather! So how to fix oily skin and keep your complexion glowing when humidity hits 96%? Here’s why your skin gets oily during humid weather—and your new skincare routine to cope with it.

Why Does Humidity Cause Oily Skin?

Sebum: the oil produced by your skin that naturally protects and moisturises it. Sebum can be your worst enemy or best friend, depending on your skin type. If you live in a humid climate, you’re likely to hate sebum, because skin produces much more of it in hot weather. This wouldn’t be a problem, except that too much oil in your skin causes clogged pores and leads to acne and other skin problems. Since heat tends to dry out the skin and trigger excess sebum production, you need a plan to fight back! Here’s a sample skincare routine you can use in humid weather.

Step 1: Wash

If you’ve got oily skin, then you’re probably used to washing your face too many times a day. Let’s make a deal: wash twice a day with a high-quality cleanser, and leave it at that. By overwashing your face, you’re just making your skin react to the drying effects by producing even more oil.

Choose a cleanser with anti-microbial properties, such as one formulated with virgin coconut oil and extracts. Our Biconi Natural Face Cleanser & Wash also contains the Biconi Noni Enzyme, which has powerful benefits for all skin types.

Wash your face with warm water in the morning and before you go to bed. Don’t scrub roughly, just use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser onto your face, loosening dirt and excess oil. When you’re done, pat, don’t rub your skin with a soft towel to dry. That’s it!

Step 2: Exfoliate

How to fix oily skin? Clear the pores. Exfoliation is an essential step in your skincare routine, helping to get rid of dead skin cells and unclogging pores. Before you get ready to exfoliate, however, be aware that it’s very easy to overdo this step. Exfoliation shouldn’t be done every day—in fact, most experts recommend no more than once or twice a week. Pick a day and make that your day to add exfoliation to your routine.

There are many exfoliating products you can use, but take care to choose a product that uses gentle, natural particles. Microbeads are synthetic exfoliators which are gentle, but terrible for the environment. Good natural exfoliators include sugar, salt, and oatmeal, all gentle and easy to mix with other products.

As with other steps, don’t scrub too harshly, especially when using an exfoliator. The particles could irritate your skin and rub it raw. Just spend a few seconds gently rubbing the exfoliator all over your face, then rinse with warm water.

Step 3: Tone

Toners clarify the skin, and though they may seem like they’re not doing much, they can help remove the last of the oil and dirt on your face, and prepare your skin for the next steps in your routine. Use a cotton pad to apply, or mist the toner over your face.

Step 4: Treat

This is the time to apply your prescription and over-the-counter acne medications, if you use them. The good news? If you start using products with natural anti-acne ingredients (like coconut oil), you soon might not have to use the synthetic stuff. While many acne treatments can be effective, they can also be drying, and tend to rely on chemicals to produce results. Try to use a natural formula, and follow all the directions on the packaging. If you’re suffering from severe acne, however, it may be time to talk with a doctor and get answers.

Step 5: Renew

Serums are your friend. They help combat skin damage and aging by contributing antioxidants and other powerful ingredients that fight free radicals.

Serums come in tiny bottles for a reason: they’re powerful, and you don’t need to use much in order to get the benefits. Simply take a few drops on your fingers and lightly massage the serum all over your face. For most people with oily skin, this is enough moisturisation, especially if you use an oil-based serum, but you might need additional moisturisation as well, from a moisturiser for oily skin, if you have combination skin or your skin starts to dry out.

Step 6: Moisturise

If you’re trying to figure out how to fix oily skin, the idea of adding moisturiser to your skincare routine might sound a little...strange. But guess what? When you cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and treat for acne, you’re drying out your skin. And what does dry skin do? It overcompensates. Skip the moisturiser and you might find that your skin is oilier than ever—because it felt so parched after the rest of your routine that it had to create more sebum!

Now that you know how important moisturiser is for all skin types, how do you choose one for oily skin? That’s an important question, because you don’t want to clog your skin and make acne worse. Skip any moisturisers with comedogenic ingredients like cocoa butter and petroleum, as these can block the pores and send skin into a breakout. Instead, try a natural oil like Organic Argan Oil, which is a great moisturiser for oily skin. You can also buy commercial formulas for oily skin, but some of these double up on drying acne treatments, like salicylic acid, so read the label before you buy. You don’t want to be using an acne treatment, then adding another layer of it in your moisturiser!

Use a light touch when applying your moisturiser. If you’re using an oil, apply a few drops to your fingers and gently massage it into your face. For cream moisturisers, don’t use too much, and don’t rub it on aggressively. Use less on the “t-zone”, a particularly oily area including the nose and lower forehead.

Step 7: Protect

If you live in a hot, humid climate, your morning skincare routine should ALWAYS include protecting your skin from the sun. Choose a natural SPF product, and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day as needed. Sun damage can cause skin cancer, premature aging, and discoloration, so putting on sunscreen should become an automatic habit each day.

Makeup

Makeup can get tricky in humid climates. On top of the skin’s excess oil production, makeup can clog pores further, start to run when you perspire, and irritate your skin. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right makeup, and take it off promptly at the end of the day. Choose non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog your pores, and keep things light. The last thing you want on a humid day is heavy makeup weighing you down! If you’re struggling with skin problems, it’s important to give your skin a breather from time to time—skip the makeup as much as you can while your skin heals.

Don’t Touch!

Unless you’re washing your face or applying products, hands off! Acne thrives on bacteria, dirt, and oil on your face, and touching your face during the day just adds bacteria and spreads dirt and oil around. If you’re feeling sweaty and uncomfortable, try blotting your face with a tissue or special blotting paper to absorb sweat and oil.

Make A Routine That’s All Your Own

Do all those steps sound like too much? They could be, depending on your skin type. You’ll also have a different routine in the morning and the evening. The basics—wash, exfoliate, and moisturize—are steps that should be in every routine, but you might not need to use a toner or anti-aging serum. Or, you might want to add an eye cream to your routine. It’s up to you to decide how many products you actually need for great skin. Something isn’t working? Switch it up! Nothing is set in stone, and you don’t want to be using products that don’t benefit you. Your skincare is unique to you, so make it your own—and be consistent.

Stay Hydrated

Your skin is affected by what you put into your body, as well as the environment around you. Help keep your skin hydrated by keeping yourself hydrated! Drink plenty of water, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content, like cucumber and watermelon.

Use Natural Skincare Products

While it might be tempting to pick the fanciest products with the latest fad ingredients, what really works best is getting back to basics. Synthetics can be harmful to your skin and can actually make it more irritated over time. Whenever possible, choose natural products to use in your skincare routine. They’re less drying, more nourishing, and contain Mother Nature’s most powerful skin-soothers. As a bonus, they’re better for the environment!

Listen to Your Skin

If your skin is irritated in humid weather, that means it’s trying to tell you something! It may be a product you’re using, or you might need to add something to your skincare. You might be messing with your skin—popping pimples and touching your face, or it may just be reacting to the humidity. Whatever the issue, it’s important to listen to your skin. Try making a change in your skincare routine, like choosing more natural products or adding a step. If your skin issues just aren’t getting better, and you’re having trouble with how to fix oily skin, don’t be afraid to seek the help of a dermatologist—after all, they are the experts! It may be humid out, but if you listen to your skin and keep a consistent routine, there’s no reason you can’t have a glowing complexion year-round.